PRESS: I'm part of a tribe

Life finds unique ways to knock us off of our feet.
For some unknown reason, it has decided to knock me off of mine for a good reason this month.
Case in point:  this feature in TAP Portugal's in-flight magazine UP.

URL http://upmagazine-tap.com/en/

Travellers of the Future. Amadeus profiles six types of travelers in 2030. 

I guess that's me with her fist in the air. 

And there's me,  the Ethical Traveller

UP Magazine March 2016 Cover celebrates Portugal's Beira Baixa region.
Situated in the Northeast of the country, it is described to be one of the most authentic and discreet regions of Portugal.

Bangkok's Famous Chicken Rice : Go Ang / Kaiton Pratunam

After enjoying a night in Pattaya, we head back to Bangkok and stayed at Arnoma Grand Bangkok in Pratunam Disctrict - the shopping haven of the city. (Read : Arnoma Grand Bangkok Hotel Review)

We're already starving when we arrived at the hotel but we don't want to eat just anywhere, so, we asked one of Arnoma's staff where we can find the best place to eat nearby. He said we should try Bangkok's Chicken Rice. He added that it's probably the most popular chicken rice in the city and luckily it's just a walking distance from the hotel.

We got really excited. He wrote a sketch in a piece of paper and told us to just show it to any local in the street if we get lost and we should be guided accordingly. True enough, we're kinda lost and showed the paper to a local and he pointed us to the right direction. It seems that everyone in the community knows where this famous chicken rice stall is.

It's a bit early when we arrived at the stall but it's already full packed. We're very lucky to have been able to get the last vacant table. Of course, we ordered their famous chicken rice. After a couple of minutes, our orders were served. We ate it with gusto. I really love chicken rice. The sauce perfectly complements the steamed chicken. It's totally different from the usual sauce I've tried in Singapore. It was good, I mean really good. Nothing fancy and spectacular but it's worth to try. I'd love to go back again when I get back to Bangkok.

Go Ang / Kaiton Pratunam Chicken Rice stall is conveniently located across the road from Platinum Fashion Mall. When you're in the vicinity, you can immediately distinguish the place - lots of people and the pink uniforms of the staff. 

GO ANG / KAITON PRATUNAM CHICKEN RICE RESTAURANT 

960 – 962, Phetchaburi Road, Soi 30, Pratunam, Bangkok, Thailand 

Opposite of Platinum Fashion Mall, look for the lane named Petchaburi Soi 30 

Opens 5.30am – 3pm, 5pm – 3am

10 Travel Tips for A Cheap Getaway in Southeast Asia

Southeast Asia is one of the emerging tourist destinations in the world. It has become a part of most travelers' itinerary in their journey around the world.. From pristine beaches, pagodas, mountains, UNESCO Heritage sites and delicious cuisines, the region has got it all for you.

Traveling across Southeast Asia does not need to be expensive. With careful planning, you can travel around the region cheaply and conveniently. Here are some tips and guidelines for a Cheap Getaway in Southeast Asia.

Plan ahead of time

It is important to plan your vacation at least three to six months before your actual travel. Airline ticket prices are lower when it's far from the travel dates. The closer the date when you book a flight, the more expensive the fare is. The same situation for some accommodations. Some hotels and hostels offer promo rates when you book in advance like GoHotels in the Philippines and Tune Hotels and Red Planet Hotels across Southeast Asia.

Set A Budget

You must set a budget like an estimated amount you can spend for the duration of your trip. I suggest you travel within your means. Meaning, don't go beyond what you can afford. Make sure you include at least 20% buffer in your budget to cover unforeseen expenses.

Draft an itinerary

You have to make a rough itinerary and polish it later on. You have to know when and where you want to go and how many days you will be staying in one place. It's good if you start your travel in a regional hub so you have lots of options to fly across the region. Start your journey in Singapore, Kuala Lumpur, or Bangkok. I suggest you use an excel sheet or a google sheet so you can update it anytime. 

Check for Flights at third party websites

If you are not certain where to go next or if you are looking for cheap fares, you can try Skypicker or Adioso. These booking sites let you search for flights for a specific destination or search by radius. This way, you can see which destination has a cheaper fare from where you'll be flying out. I once book my Yangon-Bangkok flight with Skypicker and saved around $10 compared to the airline website's booking system. So, before you book always try the next tip. It's also worth trying Skyscanner, Wego and Expedia. 

Compare prices of flights from third party sites and airline websites

Once you checked the fares at third party websites, go to the airline's website and check their rates. Most of the times, booking directly through the airline's website is much cheaper. Of course, as I mentioned above, sometimes you get lucky too, booking at third party websites. 

Consider flying with the Region's low-cost Carriers (LCC)

There are a number of Low Cost Carriers operating in Southeast Asia and beyond. You have AirAsia in Malaysia; Thai AirAsia and Nok Air in Thailand; Jetstar Asia, Scoot and Tiger Air in Singapore; Indonesia AirAsia and Lion Air in Indonesia; JetStar Asia and VietJetAir in Vietnam; and Philippines Air Asia and Cebu Pacific in the Philippines. These budget airlines often have promo fares so watch out for it regularly. Subscribe to their newsletter or follow their Facebook pages for updates.

Consider traveling by train or bus

If flights are expensive, consider traveling by bus or train. Actually it could save your accommodation cost of you travel an overnight bus or train to your next destination. It can also be fun traveling overland. I once tried traveling by train from Penang to Bangkok for almost 24 hours and I had so much fun. Also tried an overnight bus from Yangon to Bagan in Myanmar and the experience was delightful. Tourist buses are very comfortable.

Checkout Regional Passes

Airasia has ASEAN Pass and Bangkok Airways and Lao Airlines offer Discovery Airpass to explore the region. Check them out and study if you can save on flight costs. These passes do not cover taxes and other fees so you have to be careful. I know some folks who were able to save a lot by using these passes. 

Check for Accommodation

Once you booked your flights or you polished your itinerary, consider booking your accommodation. Booking sites such as Expedia, Wego, Agoda and HostelBookers are great websites to begin your search. Do not book right away, compare prices. Most of the time, Agoda has cheaper rates but from time to time Expedia offers promotions exclusive to its members. I once saved around $20 after booking from Expedia. As mentioned above, try GoHotels, Red Planet Hotels and Tune Hotels as they offer really cheap rates when you book in advance.

Get A Travel Insurance

There are a lot of companies offering travel insurance. You don't know what's going to happen so make sure you spend a portion of your budget to purchase a travel insurance. I suggest you get an insurance from World Nomads. It's easy and it's affordable.

FOOD: Mercato Centrale at the BGC

Finally managed to sample some grub at Mercato in BGC.

I am actually late in the game but as they say, better late than never.

I guess part of it is my aversion to disposable eating implements – I hate the thought of all that rubbish – and heavy traffic – which I have to go through just to get to Taguig.

Mercato Central
7th Ave corner 25th StreetBonifacio Global City, Taguig
Business Hours: Fridays and Saturdays; 6pm to 3pm

Mercato feels like what its name suggests, a market. The smell of garlic is strong and the sizzle of frying is unmissable. Food is laid out for everyone’s delectation and their prices – emblazoned on signs of all sizes for anyone to see.  But the best part of Mercato is that it's a place where anyone in a group can satisfy her craving without feeling the need to compromise.  

Is that an astronaut or the Stig on the wall?

After being on our feet for most of the afternoon at the Great British Festival,
my friend Abe and I are just happy to be able to sit down.

The same goes for Shannon, I suppose.

In the middle of the lot is this open-air section with strings of lights and picnic tables.

From this vendor, I got myself some Garlic Chicken and Tinapa Rice. 

Garlic Chicken and Tinapa Rice

From Sandwiches to Street Food, choose what you like from the many vendors at Mercato. 

They're selling Angus Beef Salpicao at Auntie May's. 

Belly Chon,  one of the yummiest offerings at Mercato Centrale

Some Lutong-Bahay Ulam

Pork, Chicken, and Sausage Inihaw

Some like their Sisig quite hot!

Street and deep fried food to-go

Cakes for the one with the sweet tooth.

How to Go To KLIA2 From Kuala Lumpur City Center

Flying from Kuala Lumpur International Airport 2 (KLIA2) can be a little challenging especially if you're flying during wee hours. This is a short guide on how to go to KLIA2 easily and smoothly from KLIA and KL Sentral.

How to get there by Train

Located about two kilometers away from KLIA, KLIA2 is accessible via a 2.2km extension of the existing Express Train Line which is served by 12 high-speed electric trains. Both KLIA Ekspres and KLIA Transit services will be serving the KL Sentral to klia2 line.

KLIA Ekspres

KLIA Ekspres is an express rail service that operates a non-stop route from KL Sentral to KLIA. With the opening of the klia2 terminal, the route is now extended to klia2 with a brief stop at KLIA, providing the same express service with the same fare for passengers travelling to and from KL Sentral. It remains to be the fastest airport transfer in Kuala Lumpur

With a fee of only RM55/one way (starting Jan 2016) and a 28-minute journey time from KL Sentral to klia2, KLIA Ekspres operates with 15-minute and 20-minute intervals during peak and off-peak hours, respectively. The inter-terminal fare between KLIA and klia2 is an affordable RM2 and the ride only takes 3 minutes. It is located within the Gateway@KLIA2 complex which also accommodates all other public transport serving KLIA2.

Schedule:

Airport (KLIA) to city (KL Sentral)

First train departs 05:00 hrs

Last train departs 01:00 hrs

City (KL Sentral) to airport (KLIA)

First train departs 05:00 hrs

Last train departs 00:40 hrs

Frequency:

Every 15 minutes – peak hours: Mon to Fri 06:00-09:00 hrs, 16:00-22:00 hrs (approximate)

Every 20 minutes – off-peak hours: Mon to Fri 05:00-06:00 hrs, 09:00-16:00 hrs, 22:00-00:00 hrs (approximate); Sat and Sun all day

Every 30 minutes – after midnight

KLIA Transit

KLIA Transit is a commuter rail service that runs with the following stops:

KL Sentral ► Bandar Tasik Selatan ► Putrajaya & Cyberjaya ► Salak Tinggi ► KLIA ► klia2

KLIA Transit operates with 20-minute and 30-minute intervals during peak and off-peak hours, respectively. With 4 stops from KL Sentral to klia2, the journey takes only 39 minutes. Fare is the same with KLIA Expres at RM55 (starting Jan 2016).

Airport (KLIA) to city (KL Sentral)

First train departs 05:52 AM

Last train departs 01:03 AM

City (KL Sentral) to airport (KLIA)

First train departs 04:33 AM

Last train departs 12:03 AM

Getting to KLIA2 By Bus

The cheaper option to go to KLIA2 is by Bus. KL Buses provide comfortable journey from KL Sentral to KLIA2 and vice versa. There are a number of bus companies operating this route but we recommend you take the Skybus. A trip from KL Sentral depending on the traffic situation usually takes an hour and 15 minutes for just RM10. SkyBus departs every 30min from 3:00am till 8:00pm and then every hour until last departure at 10:00pm. Detailed Skybus Schedule.

Schedule:

Airport (KLIA) to city (KL Sentral)

First train departs 05:00 AM

Last train departs 02:45 AM

City (KL Sentral) to airport (KLIA)

First train departs 03:00 AM

Last train departs 12:00 AM

Getting to KLIA2 by Taxi

A taxi ride from KL Sentral to klia2 can cost during the day approximately RM55-75 depending on the traffic load. At night this fare will rise up to RM80-95. The trip usually lasts 45 minutes depending on teh traffic situation.

EVENTS: #GREATBritishFestival 2016 at High Street in BGC

For this anglophile, it was the next best thing.

The #GREATBritishFestival – a celebration of things that put the GREAT in Great Britain, was held last weekend from 26- 28 February at the Bonifacio High Street. British brands, from Retail to Automotive, set up booths to do their duty and became good ambassadors of the land of the afternoon tea. 

Guests are given a piece of paper – a sort of map/ passport – which needed to be stamped at booths in order to serve as an entry to the night’s raffle draw. The prize? A free trip to London onboard Etihad Airways. (I flew Etihad Airways to London last June and I was there in 19 hours!)

This anglophile and her not-anglophiles-but-very-supportive friends stayed well through the night.
And though we didn’t win a free trip, we were quite glad we came. 

You have to pass through Tower Bridge to get to the Great British Festival.

Fancy a cup of Twinings Tea?

Nothing says British more than these two - the red post box and the red telephone booth.
With people using mobile phones, it's a wonder these phone booths still exists.

Some folks enjoying the afternoon and some British grub.

It's all in the stride when walking down Abbey Road.

This London dry cleaners apparently got its name from Reginald Jeeves,
P.G. Wodehouse's fictional Valet to a certain Mr. Bertie Wooster.

M & S is the very first British brand I knew and they're still here.

Dyson, the  Rolls Royce of Vacuum Cleaners.

Queen's Guards + Red Telephone Booth spotted at the MotherCare Booth.

Lee Cooper and their Mini Cooper.

The Great British Festival Arc

Even if it's owned by Indian Company Tata Motors, 
Jaguar is still British to me and it seems to the rest of the Kingdom, too.

Dressed like the Queen's Guards, these Fil-Brit Boys are additional attractions
at Jaguar and Land Rover Booth.

If it's good enough for James Bond, it certainly is good enough for us.

Miniature Tudor Houses sit next to the Shakespeare Tent.

A lecture on everyday things we say that we owe to the Bard.

         Here I am, trying to explain why I choose the Shakespeare Quote: Why then the world's mine oyster.

Wonder what happened to the rest of the castle.

Is the Doctor in these parts?
Perhaps trying to solve the traffic situation maybe?

I guess, they too are wondering if Sherlock is home.

Everyone's trying to push through that wall. Don't think anyone has succeeded, though.

It wouldn't be the UK if there wasn't Stonehenge, right?

We surely do! Little Mr and Miss Books for Sale at this tent.

On the way to Serendra, you'll have to pass through this version of the London Eye.

Clems Castro, of the now defunct 'Orange and Lemons', played for the crowd.
Some British songs as well as original compositions made up his playlist for the night.

I didn't win the free trip but instead, that certain Mr. Tambunting did. 

Saturday was ended with a free screening of "Bend It Like Beckham"
featuring a young Kiera Knightley and Jonathan Rhys Meyers. 

Anglophiles they may not be but here they are at the #GREATBritishFestival with me.
Shoutout to friends who lend their support in any way they can!

How To Go To Johor Bahru From Singapore

Planning a short cross country getaway when in Singapore? Johor Bahru (JB) is the easiest place to visit when it comes to crossing border from Singapore. Not to mention, it is home to the famous Legoland Malaysia Resort.

Larkin Bus Station

The cheapest way to go to Johor Bahru from Singapore is by bus. Most people would commence their trip at Queens Street, Bugis. Here are the options you can take and some considerations when crossing the border from Singapore to JB.

There are three bus companies that operate in Queens Street Terminal going to JB: Causeway Link, SBS Transit 170 and Singapore-Johor Express.

SBS Transit 170

Fare: SGD1.93 (With EZ-Link card); SGD2.50 (Cash)

Estimated Travel Time: Around 1.5 hours depending on the traffic situation

First trip at 5:20AM and Last Trip at 12:30AM

This is the most familiar bus company among the three. The good thing about taking this bus is the cheap fare especially if you have an EZ-link card plus it's operated by Singapore-based drivers. 

Disdvantages

Although the fare is cheaper compared to the other two buses, SBS Transit 170 stops at every bus stop in Singapore to pick up and drop-off passengers. The queue hopping back on the bus after clearing the Singapore Immigration can be too long at times.

Causeway Link

Fare SGD3.30

First trip at 4:30AM and Last Trip at 11:00PM

This may not be the most popular choice because it is relatively expensive compared to the two bus companies but surely it is somehow the most recommended since they have frequent trips to JB. There are also less passengers in the queue when you hop in after clearing the Singapore Immigration. They also accpet payment using EZlink aside from cash.

Disavantage? I think it's the price if you're really on a tight budget.

Singapore-Johor Express (SJE)

Fare SGD2.40

First trip at 6:30AM and Last Trip at 11:30PM

SJE goes straight to Larkin Bus Terminal in JB. So, if you have an onward bus journey to KL, Melaka or any other city in Malaysia, this is your best option.They have the most number of buses that goes to Larkin so it will be easier for you to hop in the bus after clearing the Singapore Immigration.

If you plan of going to JB Sentral, I suggest you take the Causeway Link or SBS. Their bus trips from Woodlands to JB is not so frequent.

Arriving at Woodlands Checkpoint

Just sit back and relax or take a nap while in the bus. At the checkpoint make sure you bring your stuff with you as you'll be taking a different bus after clearing the immigration.

Make sure you keep your bus ticket with you as it will be inspected once you hop in to another bus. Queue to the proper line. There are clear signage so you will be guided which area to queue in.

Show your ticket to the driver/conductor and hello Malaysia!

Traveling during rush hours? 

Traffic situation during rush hours has gone worse from bad. Fortunately, a new train service from Woodlands Checkpoint to JB and vice-versa has been launched. It costs RM5 (S$1.79) from JB and S$5 from Woodlands. The departure times from Woodlands station are 6.30am, 8am, 9.30am, 5pm, 6.30pm, 8pm and 11pm. From JB Sentral, the trains leave at 5.30am, 7am, 8.30am, 4pm, 5.30pm, 7pm and 10pm. This is really a good option if you are in a hurry. Five minutes travel time compared to around 45 minutes by bus.